Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco. On eight of the first nine San Francisco drives against Seattle, the Niners went three-and-out ... 41 net yards on eight possessions. On their first three drives in the fourth quarter, the 49ers, led by the sharpest Alex Smith they'd ever seen, went 11 plays and 102 yards (including 12 penalty yards) for a touchdown, 10 plays and 78 yards for a touchdown, and six plays and 86 yards for a touchdown. On those three drives, Smith was six for eight for 111 yards and two touchdowns -- and he scooted around left end on a naked bootleg for an 18-yard touchdown. "That's why our guys love Alex,'' said coach Mike Nolan. "They know the big spots of the game don't bother him. And he really came up big.''

Mark Brunell, QB, Washington. What? But, you say, he didn't even play in the Redskins' upset of the Saints. Correct. "He did an incredible job for us last week, and he deserves some credit for this win,'' assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. "Even though he's left-handed, he played Drew Brees perfectly on our scout team all week, giving the defense a great look. He went to the spots on the field Brees would go to, and threw to the spots Brees would throw to.

Coach of the Week

Gregg Williams, assistant head coach/defense, Washington. Williams orchestrated a great defensive game plan to shock the Saints. His plan: never let Brees get comfortable, make sure Reggie Bush doesn't have any lanes to motor forward in the screen game, and beat the crap out of the Saints' receivers. Washington 16, New Orleans 10. Mission accomplished.

Ten Things I Think I Think4. I think this is what I liked about Week 15:f. You know what I liked about the Redskins in the win at New Orleans? Everything.